Summary Box: US Airways and Continental get early start on new rule for delayed planes

Summary Box: Tarmac delays

HEAD START: US Airways and Continental Airlines say they’ve already begun returning planes to gates if it looks like they’ll take off more than three hours late, even though fines for tarmac delays don’t begin until April 29.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: US Airways says it wants to work out its new procedures before the new government rule goes into effect. Both it and Continental began new procedures on Thursday.

WHAT’S NEXT: A mix of airlines have asked the Department of Transportation for exemptions for the New York-area airports and Philadelphia. But exemptions have not been requested for other airports.